Electromagnetic device for use in connection with railway appliances.



PATENTED 001 .15, 1907. THULLEN. szsomnmemm mm a m IN CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY PFL'IANUES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 13, 1905. 2 SHEBNHHEET a" mix UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS H. THULLEN, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR vTO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY APPLIANCES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907,

Application filed March 18,1905. Serial No. 250,759.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Loors H. THULLEN, of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electromagnetic Devices for Use in Connection with Railway Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electro-magnetic devices for use in connection with railway appliances.

In the drawings I have shown two applications of my invention, one in connection with a lever of an interlocking machine and the other in a relay device. In the application of the invention to a lever of an interlocking machine, it is comprised in the indication mechanism. As is'well known, these levers control apparatus for governing the passage of cars or vehicles ism known in the art as indicating mechanism.

Each indicating mechanism 'is actuated when required to release its lever so as to permit the lever to be moved to afinal position, andrelease, through what is known as mechanical interlocking, another lever or levers which control other apparatus for operating other signal devices or switch rails. Each lever has a preliminary movement, whereby the circuits controlled thereby are arranged to supply current to the switch or signal apparatus to have it move the switch rails or signal into proper position. The preliminary movement of the leveris limited and when the switch rails or signal shall have been fully moved current is supplied to the indicating mechanism to have it release its lever so that the lever may be moved to its final position. It is desirable and advantageous, that the current employed for operating the motor of the switch or signal apparatus be of one character and that a current of a-different character be employed for operating the indication mechanism, in order that false indication may be avoided, due to possible crosses between the operating or other wires, or to other and extraneous causes. In the present instance, unidirectional current is preferably employed for the motor of the switch or signal operating mechanism, and an alternating current derived from any convenient source of supply is. used for affecting the operation of the indication'mechanism.

I describe. an indication mechanism embodying my invention, together with several variations or modifications thereoi, .and then point out the novel features in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the levers comprised in an ordinary interlocking-machine, said lever being removed from the machine and having an indicating mechanism {embodying my invention. The interlocking lever is shown in locked position after a preliminary'movement. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are respectively, perspectivev views of modified forms of an indicating mechanism embodying my invention, the interlocking lever being omitted. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the movable part 'of the indication mechanism shown in Fig. 4, partly broken away to show its construction clearly. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic device embodying my invention and embodied in a relay device. The form of device shown is substantially the same as the form of device shown in Fig. l.

Similar reference numerals indicate corresponding. parts in all the figures of the drawing.

Referring to said drawings: 2, designates a lever? of an interlocking machine usually employed in connection with motor operated apparatus for switches and signals. It is provided at one end with a suitable handle 3, whereby it is given rotation in either direction. This lever has connected to it the various and usual adjuncts (not shown) such as contact springs, connections with the mechanical interlocking. As shown in Fig. 1, the lever 2 has been turned to the .limit of its preliminary movement, bringing a stop or projection 4 on the quadrant 5, into engagement with a yoke 6, provided on the end of a rod or stem 7, the latter forming the lock of the indicating mechanism The quadrant 5, is adjustably secured to the lever 2, and the lever is held from movement by the projection 4 and yoke 6 (the lock) until the switch rails or signal have fully completed their movement and the indication current energizes the electromagnetic device of the indication mechanism, thereby causing it to lift the yoke 6 above the stop or projection 4 (actuate the lock) to permit of the further and final movement of the lever 2.

The electromagnetic device of the indication mechanism shown in Fig. 1, comprises a core and two coils, 9 and 8", one of which, 9, I term the energizing coil, and the other the movable coil. The core is made up of two sets of substantially II-shaped laminations 8 and 9 pivotally connected together at one of their ends as represented at 9, so as to permit them to move away from, and close in upon each other during the presence in, or absence of current in the coil 9'. The E-shaped laminations are oppositely arranged to form what may be termed two end legs and a middle leg. The core may be made from a single set of laminations 10, 11 or 12, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. :vThe middle leg of one set of laminations (9) is by no Y the coil 9 properly insulated therefrom, while the middle leg oi the other set of llaminations (8) is surrounded by the movabl e'member which preferably comprises a copper ring 8 forming a .closcd circuit. The ring 8 may be secured tothe lamination 8, by suitable screws 8" or in any other desired or convenient manner, and the laminations themselves may in each instance be secured together by means of the trans verse bolts'and iastening'nuts 8 as shown-'or other; Wise. The rod or stem 7 is connected to one or the other lamination 8 or 9 according to whichi direction I it is desired to impart positive moven ent'to the stem 7.

During the absence of current. in the 'coil' 9*, the

daniinations 8 'and 9 will close upon each otherby gravity, and the stem or rod 7, which is pivotally secured to theupper member 8, will keep the yoke 6 in position to be engaged by the stop 4, 'on the quadrant and thus prevent a final movement of the lever. An

.- alternating current traversing the coil 9 produces an alternating magnetic flux through the core which in turn induces a current in the ring 8", and the current induced in the ring 8$* produces an alternating fluxin the core which is in opposition to theflux produced by the .coil 9 and these two opposite fluxes act to i be provided as shown, for the purpose of compensating to the lower core in-ember 9, .the pivot thereof forming. v

repel each'otherand thus cause the laminations 8 and 9 to separate or move apart. A counter-balance may for the; weight of the stem. orrod 7 and core member 8, so that when an alternating current is flowing in the core 9 less resistance will be offered to the separation of the laminations 8 and 9 and the upward movein cut of the yoke will be the more easily accomplished. This counter-balance takes the form of a weight'lfi, which is adjustably secured to a rod 17, the latter, which projects from, and may fo rn part of,"a-yoke 18, is fastened-to the upper core and pivotally secured appropriate hinges-upon which 'said' core members .swing.-

In Fig. 2 the construction is very much similar to that justdescribed, except that the core is not made upof separate members but isformed out of a single setof laminations having openings 19 therein to receive the coil 9 which is wound around themiddle' leg 20, between the openings 19 in the laminations.- The ring 8fris freev of the. core and moves relatively to thecoil 9 when the latter is energized. The counter-- balance which is similar in every respect to thatjust described with reference-toFig. 1 is fastened directly to the annulus 8, being likewise pivotally' secured to the laminations, as represented at 9". .The stem 7 is pivotally connected'wit hv the annulus'S. When.

an alternating current is induced inthe annulus 8*v and a field is produced therieby inoppositiori to the field produced bythe-coil 9 the annulus, which is free to move on its pivots, will lift the stein7. -'The yoke .will thus be lifted abovethe stop 4, and afinal movement .ot'the lever permitted.

vIn Fig.3 the core is also made up of a single set of laminations having'a centrally disposed 'openin'g' 20. The coil 9', as shown is wound around one leg of'said .core. The movableinember in this forniof the invention is'here shown as a ring 14, which surrounds. the leg opposite thaton which primary-9 is wound, being pivotally sec red thereto, or to. suitable brackets 21.):

aasjeao as shown. An armior'extension 22, on the ring 14 connects'with the lower end'oi the's tem or rod 7, and dur-' ing the absence of current. the ring willnorr'nally assume an inclined position. The current-induced in Y the ring 14 by the flux in the core 11,'produces a field of opposite polarity to that in the core, and causes the ring l i to assume aihorizontal position. In moving to its horizontal position the stem or rod 7 would 'thus be lifted and the yoke 6 raised above the stop 4, onthe quadrant 5, thereby permitting of a final movement of- .the lever. i

In Fig. 4 the movable member is rotatively mounted between plates. The core laminations 23 of the core 12 are C-shaped to form poles between which the movable member is mounted. This mounting is accomplished by. means of brackets 24-, inwhich latter the' shaft carrying the movable member is jo'urnaled. The coil 9? is placed-on the core as shown. The movable member comprises a cylinder or drum 15, througliwhich rods 26 and 27, are passed in a lengthwise direction, which, project sufficiently :beyond the ends of the drum or cylinder to receive connecting barsZti and 27" that cross each other, the bars 26 connecting the rods- 26 together and the bars 27 connecting the rods 27 together. I In this manner closed copper cir-' cuits are formed. These rods are so disposed with re- I "lation to the. primary core that when in their normal position-or during the absenceof current in thecoil 9 they will lie' in a position equi-distant from an imaginary line struck from the center line of thesha'ft at an angle of 45 degrees, or approximately 45 degrees. They are moved to this position through the mediumof the weight oi the stem 7, which is pivotally connected. to the f re'e end oixan arm'1 5, secured to the; shaftcarryingt-h-e drum 15. I The yoke 6, at the upper -end of the stem or rod 7,'is thereby kept in its lower most position, directly in the path of travel of the stop :4, on the q'uadrant-and the lever is inconsequence Thus the drum 15 will be given'limited rotation, and

during this rotative movement the stem 7 will be lifted to remove the yoke 6, from the path of travel of the stop 4 on the quadrant, and thuspermit of a final movement of the lever.

The construction shown in Fig.'5 is similarto that shown in Fig. l, but-stem'7 is pivotallyconnected to anarrn 28, secured to a rock shaft 28, which supports an armature plate 29, the latter having at each end isuitable contacts 30, adapted to engage and disengage therespective poles 31; 31, of the relay magnets during the abs'ence, or presence of current in the primary and secondary cores of the controllerdevice. As" the "operation, in this .instance, is practically the sameas that of Figs. 1 and 2, it needlnotbe vfurther or more specifically described, and as the cuhent for operating the indication device may be derived from any source, I have'also deemed it unnecessary to go further'into thendtails thereof as any appropriate'source of supply may beused with any ofthe constructions shown;

'ing machine, comprising comprising a core, :1

4 Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

a lever of on interlock n core, a coil designed to be traversed by an alternating current, a movable member inclosing a portion of said core 'and a stem connected with said movable member.

' 2. An electro'magnetie device for railway appliances coil for said core designed to be traversed by an alternating current to produce an zilternating fluxtin said core, a closed magnetic circuit mounted to be cut by the flux ot'said core and to have one position 1. vAn indicating mechanism for relatively to said (Fore when said coil is denergized and it dilerent' relative position when .the coil is energized,

1 l. I i l l 1 and :1 part connected with said closed circuit and adapted to be moved upon a movement of said closed circuit.

3. An electromagnetic device for railway appliances comprising a core, an energizing coil thvreior designed to be traversed by an alternating current, a closed conductor lllVOtilllY mounted with respect to said core and adapted to have induced in it an alternating current by the alternating flux produced in the core by the cOiL'and a stern conncctedwith said closed conductor.

In testimony whereof I have specification in the presence oi two subscribed witnesses.

' LOUIS H. TI-IULLEN.

Witnesses:

W. L. McDANinn, Juins Cuntunns, Jr.

signed my name to this 

